Leclerc missing Bianchi's help after Ferrari test outing

Bianchi, who was a close friend of Leclerc's and himself a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, lost his life nine months on from his crash in the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

Since the Frenchman's passing, Leclerc has joined Ferrari, trying out the Italian marque's 2014-spec F1 car at Fiorano and making his grand prix weekend debut with Haas at Silverstone.

He also drove Ferrari's current machinery on the opening day of this week's Silverstone test, almost a year on after Bianchi had succumbed to his injuries.

Speaking about Bianchi, Leclerc said: "I knew him from when I was really, really young.

“He was my godfather and he helped me with most of things in racing. Obviously now it’s hard without him because he always helped me, and I miss his help.

“He advised me really well in the past, and all his comments he gave me in the past I keep in mind and try not to make the errors he told me not to do."

Leclerc also insisted that, while the Ferrari Driver Academy has yet to produce a driver for the Scuderia's works team, Bianchi would've gotten the chance.

"Jules was one of the talents who would have gone there if the things that happened hadn’t have happened," he said.

“But I’m definitely confident the driver academy will have someone who will make it into the top team."